Registered Chinese medicine practitioners can issue sickness allowance, maternity protection and long service payment for workers under a legal revision taking effect December 1.

Employers must follow the new provisions so that staff seeking treatment with Chinese medicine practitioners can enjoy the statutory benefits.

On maternity protection, medical certificates issued by Chinese medicine practitioners will be recognised. These include confirmation of pregnancy and the expected date of confinement, any additional period of maternity leave required on the grounds of illness or disability, and unfitness to handle heavy, hazardous or harmful work.

On long-service payment, Chinese practitioners, like registered medical doctors, can issue a specified certificate under the Employment Ordinance to certify an employee as being permanently unfit for their job.

For more details on the revision click here or call 2717 1771. A list of registered Chinese practitioners is available here.